INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Josh Allen handed for 297 yards whereas accounting for 4 touchdowns, Von Miller had two of Buffalo’s seven sacks, and the Bills stamped themselves as a transparent contender for the Rams’ Super Bowl crown with a 31-10 victory over Los Angeles on Thursday evening.
Gabe Davis, Isaiah McKenzie and Stefon Diggs caught TD passes because the two-time defending AFC East champion Bills opened the NFL’s 103rd season by overcoming 4 turnovers and operating away with a blowout win in the identical stadium the place the Rams gained the Super Bowl almost seven months in the past.
Allen went 26 for 31 regardless of two interceptions. He additionally rushed for 56 yards, scrambling for a 4-yard TD when he stretched the ball over the road with 13:27 to play. The star quarterback took his share of hits, however he additionally dished them out and confirmed off a imply stiff-arm whereas Buffalo’s offense beneath new coordinator Ken Dorsey largely dominated the champs.
Matthew Stafford handed for 240 yards with one TD and three interceptions on a bruising evening for the Rams, who misplaced a season opener and fell under .500 for the primary time in coach Sean McVay’s six seasons in cost.
The Bills’ seven sacks have been probably the most allowed in McVay’s tenure with the Rams, who misplaced two starters from final yr’s offensive line and tried to switch them internally.
Diggs punctuated the domination with a 53-yard TD catch with 9:25 to play, speaking trash to Rams All-Pro defensive again Jalen Ramsey afterward.
Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp had 13 catches for 128 yards and a landing, however the Rams’ evening went rapidly downhill after they unveiled their championship banner in a pregame ceremony. Los Angeles couldn’t sustain with Allen’s inventive playmaking or the Bills’ move rush, and its solely main offseason addition on offense — receiver Allen Robinson — had one catch on two targets.
The Rams even acquired shut out within the second half, ending a streak of 89 consecutive halves with some extent since November 2019.
Miller made a direct impression in his debut for the Bills, who signed him away from the Rams after he gained a hoop in his half-season in LA. But he was only one a part of a protection that yielded solely 177 yards earlier than Los Angeles’ closing, meaningless drive.
Aaron Donald made his 99th profession sack within the first half, however the seven-time All-Pro had simply two tackles because the Rams turned solely the second defending champions within the final 10 years to lose the next season opener. Los Angeles trailed 17-10 after three quarters, however Buffalo ran away with two prolonged TD drives early within the fourth quarter.
With Dorsey taking on from Brian Daboll, the Bills went 9 for 10 on third downs and racked up 413 whole yards, however three first-half turnovers stored it shut early.
Allen set a profession excessive to begin a sport by finishing his first 10 passes, however linebacker Terrell Lewis’ interception stopped Buffalo’s second drive in Rams territory. Rookie James Cook fumbled away his first contact for Buffalo moments later, however Dane Jackson made an interception two snaps after that.
Los Angeles lastly scored on its fourth drive when Kupp made an distinctive toe-tapping catch behind the tip zone on a exact throw three minutes earlier than halftime. The Rams acquired the ball again on Troy Hill’s interception, and Matt Gay hit a 57-yard subject purpose to tug the Rams even on the halftime gun.
50K
With a protracted third-down move to Kupp on his opening drive, Stafford turned the twelfth quarterback in NFL historical past to move for 50,000 profession yards. He tied Drew Brees because the quickest to the mark, doing it in 183 video games.
TO THE RAFTERS
Along with the banner to have a good time final February’s title, the Rams additionally hung a banner within the south rafters at SoFi Stadium honoring the 1999-2000 Super Bowl champions from the St. Louis period. The transient pregame ceremony included proprietor Stan Kroenke, retired left sort out Andrew Whitworth — and free agent Odell Beckham Jr., who held aloft the Lombardi Trophy.
INJURIES
Bills DL Ed Oliver injured his ankle within the first half and tried to play by means of it, however couldn’t do a lot. … Rams rookie RB Kyren Williams injured his ankle within the opening minutes. … The Rams performed with out WR Van Jefferson, who had knee surgical procedure early in coaching camp after beginning 21 video games final season.
UP NEXT
Bills: Host Tennessee on Monday, Sept. 19.
Rams: Host Atlanta on Sunday, Sept. 18.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com